Variability of carbon monoxide in the mars atmosphere

In January of 1982 we measured a microwave spectrum of CO in the Martian atmosphere utilizing the rotational J = 1 → 2 transition of CO. We have analyzed data and reanalyzed the microwave spectra of R. K. Kakar, J. W. Waters, and W. J. Wilson, (Science196, 1090–1091, 1977, measured in 1975) and J. C. Good and F. P. Schloerb, (Icarus47, 166–172, 1981 measured in 1980) in order to constrain estimates of the temporal variability of CO abundance in the Martian atmosphere. Our values of CO column density from the data of Karar et al., Good and Schloerb, and our own are 1.7 ± 0.9 × 10²⁰, 3.0 ± 1.0 × 10²⁰, and 4.6 ± 2.0 × 10²⁰cm^?2, respectively. The most recent estimate of CO column density from the 1967 infrared spectra of J. Connes, P. Connes, and J.P. Maillard, (Atlas de Spectres Infarouges de Venus, Mars, Jupiter, et Saturne, Editions due Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, 1969), is 2.0 ± 0.8 × 10²⁰ cm^?2 (L.D.G. Young and A.T. Young, Icarus30, 75–79, 1977). The large uncertainties given for the microwave measurements are due primarily to uncertainty in the difference between the continuum brightness temperature and atmospheric temperatures of Mars. We have accurately calculated the variation among the observations of the continuum (surface) brightness temperature of Mars, which is primaroly a function of the observed aspect of Mars. A more difficult problem to consider is variability of global atmospheric temperatures among the observations, particularly the effects of global dust storms and the ellipticity of the orbit of Mars. The large bars accompanying our estimates of CO column density from the three sets of microwave measurements are primarily caused by an assumed uncertainty of ±10°K in our atmospheric temperature model due to possible dust in the atmosphere. A qualitative consideration of seasonal variability of global atmospheric temperatures among the measurements suggests that there is not strong evidence for variability of the column abundance of CO on Mars, although variability of 0–100% over a time scale of several years is allowed by the data set. The implication for the variability of Mars O₂ is, crudely, a factor of two less. We found that the altitude distribution of CO in the atmosphere of Mars was not well constrained by any of the spectra, although our spectrum was marginally better fitted by an altitude increasing profile of CO mixing ratios.     

On the dynamical structure of QSOs and the origin of emission clouds

It is shown that emission lines, first of all the ultraviolet resonance doublet 2800 Mgii, can be used to decipher the internal dynamic structure of QSOs and active galactic nuclei. The electron temperatures of the emission regions of these objects are determined. A hypothesis is proposed explaining the observed broad profiles of the 2800 Mgii line as a summary effect of emission clouds with a Maxwellian velocity distribution. The main physical parameters of emission clouds in QSOs are obtained. A mechanism of formation of emission clouds is suggested: namely, tidal disruption of stars near to a massive compact object.     

Observation of chromospheric evaporation during the solar maximum mission

A sample of flares detected in 1980 with the Bent Crystal Spectrometer and the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite has been analysed to study the upward motions of part of the soft X-ray emitting plasma. These motions are inferred from the presence of secondary blue-shifted lines in the Ca XIX and Fe XXV spectral regions during the impulsive phase of disk flares. Limb flares do not show such blue-shifted lines indicating that the direction of the plasma motion is mainly radial and outward. The temporal association of these upward motions with the rise of the thermal phase and with the impulsive hard X-ray burst, as well as considerations of the plasma energetics, favour the interpretation of this phenomenon in terms of chromospheric evaporation. The two measureable parameters of the evaporating plasma, emission measure and velocity, depend on parameters related to the energy deposition and to the thermal phase. The evaporation velocity is found to be correlated with the spectral index of the hard X-ray flux and with the rise time of the thermal emission measure of the coronal plasma. The emission measure of the rising plasma is found to be correlated with the total energy deposited by the fast electrons in the chromosphere by collisions during the impulsive phase and with the maximum emission measure of the coronal plasma.     

The Hα-cyclonic spectra of a flare loop system on 1981 April 27

The data such as the H-spectrum-spectroheliographic (SSHG) observations, the H-chromospheric observations, etc., of a flare loop prominence which occurred on the western solar limb on 1981 April 27 have been obtained at Yunnan Observatory. The distribution of the internal motions and the macroscopical motion of the flare loop prominence with time and space in the course of its eruption and ascension is derived from the comprehensive analysis of the data. The possible physical pictures and the instability of the motions of the loop are inferred and discussed.     

Preliminary observations of solar radio sources with the Culgoora radioheliograph operating at four frequencies

The Culgoora radioheliograph has been modified for observing at 327.4 MHz, which is in addition to the three frequencies (43.25, 80, and 160 MHz) previously available. At the new frequency the array beamwidth is 56, which represents the highest resolution yet available for metre-wavelength solar mapping.At 327.4 MHz the sources of radio emission are mainly in the lowest layers of the corona. Some preliminary four-frequency observations have been made of type I storms. It is found that the source size generally decreases with increasing observing frequency. This result confirms earlier suggestions that the sources of both type I and type III emission are contained in structures whose boundaries diverge outwards in the corona.     

Microwave and hard X-Ray observations of a solar flare with a time resolution better than 100 ms

Simultaneous microwave and X-ray observations are presented for a solar flare detected on May 8, 1980 starting at 19:37 UT. The X-ray observations were made with the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission and covered the energy range from 28–490 keV with a time resolution of 10 ms. The microwave observations were made with the 5 and 45 foot antennas at the Itapetinga Radio Observatory at frequencies of 7 and 22 GHz, with time resolutions of 100 ms and 1 ms, respectively. Detailed correlation analysis of the different time profiles of the event show that the major impulsive peaks in the X-ray flux preceded the corresponding microwave peaks at 22 GHz by about 240 ms. For this particular burst the 22 GHz peaks preceded the 7 GHz by about 1.5 s. Observed delays of the microwave peaks are too large for a simple electron beam model but they can be reconciled with the speeds of shock waves in a thermal model.     

The shape of the small satellites of Saturn: Gravitational equilibrium vs solid-state strength

In the set of small satellites of Saturn recently imaged by the Voyager probes, we can observe the transition from irregularly-shaped, strength-dominated objects to larger, gravity-dominated bodies with shapes roughly fitting the theoretical equilibrium figures. The transition occurs for a radius of 100±50 km, corresponding to a typical material strength of the order of 10⁷ dynes cm^?2. We discuss briefly the cases of Mimas, Enceladus, Hyperion, Phoebe and the small coorbital and F-ring shepherding moons, showing that an analysis of the shape data can often provide interesting results on the physical properties, origin and collisional history of these objects.     

Astrophysical molecules of AlH and CaH: RKR potential and dissociation energies

The true potential energy curves for the electronic ground states of astrophysically important AlH and CaH molecules are constructed by the Rydberg-Klein-Rees method. Empirical potential functions, of three-parameters by Lippincott, of five-parameters by Hulburt and Hirsch-felder and, of electronegativity by Szöke and Baitz, are examined for the adequacy to represent the true curve. From the best-fitting function, the dissociation energiesD ₀ ⁰ of AlH and CaH molecules are estimated to be 2.99 ± 0.08 and 2.72 ± 0.06 eV respectively. The force constants indicate that these values are of correct magnitude.     

Quaternary fault segmentation and interaction in the epicentral area of the 1561 earthquake (Mw = 6.4), Vallo di Diano, southern Apennines, Italy

The main structural characteristics of the Caggiano and Polla faults, exposed in the epicentral area of the 1561 earthquake (Mw = 6.4), southern Italy, have been investigated in detail to assess their spatial and temporal properties, and to evaluate their seismogenic potential. These right stepping normal faults show an overlap of about 7 km and an across strike separation of about 4 km. The geometric relationships between the Caggiano and Polla faults, but also the displacement distribution along each fault, demonstrate that they have been strongly interacting throughout the Pleistocene. Nevertheless, geological evidence of Holocene tectonic activity was mainly recognized along the Caggiano Fault (faulted late glacial deposits) and in the southernmost part of the Polla Fault (faulted deposits of probably Late Pleistocene age). This suggests that the Caggiano Fault can be considered as the most tectonically active fault in the Vallo di Diano Fault System. By calculating Coulomb stress changes, we have constrained modes of mechanical interactions between the two faults in a scenario compatible with the 1561 earthquake. This approach allows us to argue that both the Caggiano and the Polla Faults are probably linked at depth, and part of the same seismogenic structure which may be potentially responsible for composite ruptures with magnitude ≥ 6.5.     

New data on geology of the Shatak Complex (western slope of the Southern Urals)

The comprehensive study of sections of the Shatak Complex has revealed that conglomerates at the base of Middle Riphean rocks are not basal but intraformational rocks. Previously described angular unconformities between shales of the Sukhin Subformation (Yusha Formation, R₁) and conglomerates of the Kuz”elga Subformation (Mashak Formation, R₂) are related to late tectonic movements. Magmatic rocks developed at the base of the Middle Riphean section are represented by sheet intrusions formed in the course of emplacement of a fluid-saturated magmatic melt into partially or completely lithified terrigenous rocks at the graben formation stage during the origination of synkinematic faults that served as magma conduits. It is inferred that distribution of provenances of clastic materials and sedimentation basins in the Burzyanian and Yurmatian should be scrutinized in the study region, because the normal regressive sequence of rocks from the uppermost Yusha Formation to the lowermost Mashak Formation, which was established in the Shatak Ridge, eliminates a clear boundary distinguished between them at present. The idea about an older age of the Mashak conglomerates is substantiated.